Parallax, December 2016

Dear rangefinder enthusiasts and classic photographers, Thank you for allowing us to share some news and random thoughts with you.

If A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, What is the Value of a Photo Book?

Here’s my simple credo when it comes to fine photographs: never miss the chance to print an image I deem worthy of proper viewing. Visitors to our boutique also have a clear idea of how much I value a fine photo book. Our library has a large collection for your enjoyment and a small, curated section for your careful perusal.

A great photo book is something to behold. Whether concentrating on a single subject or presenting a sweeping overview, a successful, published monograph is a unique opportunity to look through the camera’s eye of its creator. More often than not, we are left with a greater understanding of the topic, respect for the process and appreciation for its realization.

I humbly submit a small selection for your consideration:

Hakapik, Yoanis Menge

This young photographer of Swiss and French-Canadian descent, grew up on Îles-de-la-Madeleine surrounded by the frigid waters of the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence. After graduating from his photographic studies, Yoanis spent several months as an intern at Magnum’s Paris office where he met Josef Koudelka. For four years he assisted and collaborated with this master photojournalist whose images from the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia resonate even today. He learned how to compose a compelling photo essay and familiarized himself with the editing process.

A great believer in immersing himself in his subject, Yoanis returned to Îles-de-la-Madeleine wanting to present a more balanced, realistic view of the seal hunt than he had seen portrayed in the European media. Through three centuries, this hunt has been sustainable and has helped to sustain the tiny communities bordering the Gulf. For four years, come late March or early April, Yoanis accompanied Mi'kmaq and white hunters onto the ice floes. One trip could last more than three weeks in waters around Quebec, Newfoundland and Nunavut. His beautifully produced book, Hakapik, is an undisguised and honest portrait of a way of life in a harsh landscape. I confess to seeing the influence of Josef Koudelka in Yoanis’ use of angles and perspective, but Yoanis elevates this with his own piercing, honest vision of dignified people and their communities persevering through thick and thin.

Small, artist-signed quantities of this remarkable book are available at the boutique.

The Long Night of Mégantic, Michel Huneault

Do not be fooled by Michel Huneault’s youthful looks and demeanour. He is one of the hardest-working photojournalists I have had the pleasure of meeting. Having honed his skills in the company of Magnum photographer Gilles Peress, since 2008, Michel has covered events and stories from Afghanistan to Venise-en-Québec. His sombre, meaningful oeuvre on the sad aftermath of the July 6, 2013 Lac Mégantic disaster, documents survivors struggling to cope with the life-changing aftermath of this train wreck. Instead of focusing on physical ruin, Michel turns his lens and soul toward the survivors, revealing their dramatically shifting emotions as they struggle to accept the new normal.

The Long Night of Mégantic won Duke University’s 2015 Dorothea Lange-Paul Taylor Prize. Several copies of this bilingual book are available at the boutique.

Montrealers – A Story in Portraits, Jean-François Nadeau

Forget about high taxes, Third World sidewalks and roads, and municipal politicians whose motives are at times questionable, this magnum opus chronicling experiences of Montrealers as seen by photographers is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Jean-Francois Nadeau is a great authority on our city’s culture, history and photographic patrimony. Montrealers, A Story in Portraits led me to discover photographers who did incredible work in the nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth century, saving special moments in the life of a city.

A striking portrait of Montreal's soul captured over more than a century.

On the Portrait and the Moment, Mary Ellen Mark

Going through these photographs and reading her text next to each image, I felt as if she were still with us, whispering in my ear. More than just a great lesson in photography from one of photojournalism’s giants, the calm words of Mary Ellen Mark help us understand the human experience! This new release (2015) from Aperture’s photographic workshop series, On the Portrait and the Moment unknowingly maps a lifetime built upon empathy, tolerance and respect.

Errances/Wanderings, Daniel Miller

A longtime customer and friend of the boutique. I have yet to see Daniel without his camera. His new book looks at people going about their lives. Humorous, melancholy, dramatic, even studied, you will find this street photographer’s decisive moments are about much more than places and points in time.

The Ultimate Mirrorless

While there is a load of speculation about new Fuji and Sony mirrorless offerings and, of course, a new Leica M, let’s not overlook a most-remarkable digital camera, the current M240.

This Medium Format Elevates your Game!

I’m honoured and proud to announce that Camtec Photo was hand-picked as a select vendor of the new Hasselblad X1D mirrorless! As a fan and avid user of the Hassy X-Pan, I’m counting the days until Santa delivers this 50 megapixel, mirrorless, medium-format masterpiece to our boutique.

Light, compact and promising rich, film-like files and extraordinary resolution, all indicators point to this new Hasselblad surpassing the highest standards of the most discerning photographer. Quantities at the beginning will be tight, but we are presently taking orders and backing them with our commitment that they will be filled as promptly as possible.

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Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and a healthy, happy and peaceful 2017 filled with beautiful light and marvellous photographic opportunities.

Always looking forward to your comments.

Photographically yours,

Jean Bardaji and Daniel Wiener

Rangefinder photography: capture life as you see it!

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